Christchurch: Kyle Jamieson continued his meteoric rise in international cricket, claiming his third five-wicket haul in just six Tests, as Pakistan were bowled out for 297 in the second Test here on Sunday.
Azhar Ali put up a brave fight for Pakistan, scoring a fine 93, and their middle order took the cue to solidify the total, rescuing the visitors from a collapse, having been reduced to 83/4 within the first session.
A lot of that had to do with Azhar, who put on half-century partnerships with Abid Ali for the second wicket, captain Mohammad Rizwan for the fifth and Faheem Ashraf for the sixth to ensure Pakistan posted a respectable total.
However, Pakistan, who lost Shan Masood with just four runs on the board, were immensely troubled by the young Jamieson. The 25-year-old, in keeping with the form he has displayed in Test cricket since his debut last year, snared Abid to break a solid 62-run partnership for the second wicket, and triggered a collapse.
In consecutive overs after claiming Abid's edge, Jamieson dismissed Haris Sohail (1) caught attempting to leave the ball and Fawad Alam (2) caught behind and left on the floor after an unplayable, vicious short delivery ? to leave Pakistan struggling at 83/4. Lunch couldn't have come at a better time for Pakistan.
In the second session, Pakistan seemed determined to avoid a repeat of that slide. Azhar and Rizwan displayed immense concentration and grit to hold off New Zealand, and despite a break in play due to rain, the Pakistan batsmen pulled off an exceptional feat, in going through the whole session, losing just one wicket, and putting on 130 runs in overseas conditions.
Rizwan's was the only wicket to fall in that session, following a well-made 61, and he
became Jamieson's fourth wicket of the day, caught behind attempting a flay off balance.
Pakistan didn't slide, though, and instead, Azhar found good support in Ashraf, as the
duo took the total past the 200-run mark with another half-century partnership.
Azhar inched closer and closer to what would have been his 18th Test century, but when the feat was in his grasp, Matt Henry got the better of him with an away swinger, prompting a push from Azhar, and he fell short by just seven runs.
From 227/6, Pakistan's lower order did well to hold off New Zealand for as long as they
did. Ashraf managed 48 while Zafar Gohar scored a handy 34 from No.8. Naseem Shah,
the No.11, swung his bat around to score a 9-ball 11 as well, but New Zealand soon
nipped them out, and that was it for the day.(UNI)
